Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play What Was I Thinkin’ on piano
- Ab major
- 4/4
- 120 BPM
- Easy
Learn What Was I Thinkin’ in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: F – Cm – Bb – Ab
What Was I Thinkin’ sits in Ab major: Ab is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: F is F, A and C; Cm is C, Eb and G; Bb is Bb, D and F; Ab is Ab, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
FVICmiiiBbIIAbI- FF · A · C
- CmC · Eb · G
- BbBb · D · F
- AbAb · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Walking roots
One low note on every beat, steady as walking feet. Musicians call it root bass · quarters (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Pop stabs
Chord stabs in the 3-3-2 pop rhythm. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 120 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
- 5
Ending: Db – Eb – Ab
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbEbAb- DbDb · F · Ab
- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about What Was I Thinkin’
What chords are in What Was I Thinkin’?
The loop is F – Cm – Bb – Ab (VI5 – iii – II – I) in Ab major, and the song ends on Db – Eb – Ab.
What key is What Was I Thinkin’ in?
Ab major, at about 120 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in What Was I Thinkin’?
Walking roots: root bass · quarters, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is What Was I Thinkin’ easy to play on piano?
Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.
Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.